Culture lag

Definition

Culture lag occurs when there is a noticeable delay between the time a new social or technological innovation is introduced and the time it takes for cultural norms and practices to adapt to it. This phenomenon often leads to social conflicts and debates about the integration of these innovations into daily life.

Related terms

Cultural Diffusion:

The process by which cultural elements are borrowed from another society and incorporated into the culture of the recipient group.

Social Change:

Refers to significant alterations over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms.

Technological Determinism:

The theory that society's technology drives the development of its social structure and cultural values